How Do You Brush Your Teeth With Veneers?
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Veneers in London Waterloo
Cosmetic dentistry is the new frontier in dentistry that’s increasingly accessible to young adults in London. Veneers especially are increasingly popular with young men and women based in London looking to restore their confidence with a beautiful smile. At Whites Dental our cosmetic dentists are here to help you create that perfect smile that you have always dreamt of. We provide a range of cosmetic treatments in London City such as porcelain veneers and composite veneers, tooth bonding, whitening and smile alignment. We are based in London Waterloo and a 15min walk from London Bridge Station.
Veneers basics
Before we dive head first into hygiene routines and general oral maintenance, let’s first discuss what veneers are and why they are used. Wafer thin, custom-made shells, veneers are attached to the front surface of a tooth to change the smile’s appearance. They are often used to repair discoloured, worn down, chipped, misaligned, or irregularly shaped teeth. To apply the veneer, your dentist will need to shave off about 1/2 mm of your tooth’s enamel. This ensures that the veneer fits correctly and does not appear bulky. After that, the veneer is permanently bonded to the tooth.
Veneer Maintenance
Right, let’s learn how to care for dental veneers! Before you grab your pen and writing book, we are first going to tell you a little secret: dental veneers don’t really require special care! Great, isn’t it? Although they can completely transform your smile, veneers are so strong and durable that you won’t need to make any major adjustments to your oral hygiene routine. Your dentist will have more specific recommendations, of course, but don’t be surprised if he or she simply urges you to continue caring for your teeth as you always have.
To clean, protect, and maintain your dental veneers, use these three very simple tips:
- You should brush your teeth at least twice in a day. Ideally, brush after every meal.
- Floss your teeth at least once a day. Ideally, floss after every meal.
- Rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash once or twice a day.
Don’t be afraid to brush or floss your veneers—they can handle the pressure! However, you should choose a toothpaste that is non-abrasive and a toothbrush that has soft bristles.
Proper and good oral hygiene habits won’t just protect and clean your veneers; it will also reduce the risk of gum disease for you, thus preventing your gums from receding and exposing the tops of your veneers. If you have any doubts regarding your brushing and flossing techniques, ask your dental hygienist or dentist for tips.
In addition, be sure to schedule regular check-ups with your dentist. Most will recommend that you stop by every six months for a thorough cleaning and general examination. This will give your dentist an opportunity to spot any problems with your veneers and nip potential issues in the bud. However, know that problems with veneers are uncommon. As we have mentioned on top, your dental veneers are strong and you can expect to have a very long lifespan.
How do I care for my veneers?
After the veneers procedure, your gums can feel a little bit sore. This is normal and will settle down after a few days of careful brushing. Dental veneers are not very hard to look after and maintain. They do not require specific are or special care. Veneers simply need the same care as your regular teeth.
- Maintain good oral and dental hygiene- Maintaining good dental hygiene such as brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day can help extend the longevity of your veneers. You need to look after your dental veneers like you would your regular teeth.
- Attend regular monthly check-up and cleans (6 monthly recommended) – Regular dental exams and hygienist clean can go a long way to remove build-up plaque that your typical toothbrush cannot remove by itself. If plaque starts to build around your teeth, your dental veneers may need removal to access the relevant area.
- Don’t chew foods that are hard- Anything that has the potential to chip or crack your regular teeth also has the potential to chip or crack your dental veneer. Direct pressure as a result of eating hard foods on the end of a dental veneer can cause damage to the veneer.
- Avoid teeth grinding (Bruxism)- If you are known to grind your teeth at night, we recommend to our patients (especially those with porcelain veneers) to have a nightguard made to help protect teeth during sleep.
- Avoid foods that stain teeth – Porcelain veneers are strongly resistant to stains. However, as with any material, over time certain foods items and drink can dull and tarnish their pearly white look.
- Limit alcohol consumption- Large quantities of alcohol can soften the bonding cement that attaches the veneer to the tooth. This leaves the bonding agent prone to damage, erosion and stains.
Can you still get cavities with veneers?
Yes! You can certainly get cavities with veneers – this includes the areas of the teeth where the veneer isn’t covering the tooth and also areas underneath them. Dental veneers are certainly not a ‘set it and then forget it’ sort of dental procedure. You need to really care for them as you would with your natural teeth to ensure they last as long as possible.
After Your Appointment
After your veneers have been placed, your dentist may ask you to return to the office for an evaluation. The primary purpose of this appointment is to provide the dentist with an opportunity to examine the placement of the veneers and the condition of your gum tissue, checking to see if the gums have had a bad response to the veneers. However, this is also a prime opportunity for you to ask any questions you have regarding your veneers and the maintenance they require. Finally, if you don’t already have an appointment in your calendar, you should schedule your next dental check-up at this appointment as well.
Porcelain veneers can often last even 20 years or more, if they are cared for properly. Additionally, they can restore beauty to your smile. To learn more about veneers aftercare or to explore your treatment options, contact us on 0208 616 0590.
You can also find more information
on veneers on our homepage– https://www.whitesdental.co.uk/cosmetic-dentistry/
At Whites Dental, we have some of London’s leading cosmetic dentists offering cosmetic dentistry treatments such as bonding, porcelain veneers and composite veneers to patients near us in London Bridge, London Waterloo, Southwark, Central London and Elephant and Castle. This page provides you information on how to brush your teeth with veneers. We are based in London Waterloo, right across the road from Southwark Tube station and very near London Waterloo rail station. We are a short walk from London Bridge and Elephant and Castle tube station.